¹ Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

² And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

³ And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

⁴ And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

⁵ And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.

⁶ And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can show us our way that we should go.

⁷ Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

⁸ And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

⁹ (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

¹⁰ Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.

¹¹ And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?

¹² And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

¹³ As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

¹⁴ And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.

¹⁵ Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

¹⁶ To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

¹⁷ And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

¹⁸ Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.

¹⁹ And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

²⁰ And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?

²¹ And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

²² And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlor, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

²³ And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

²⁴ And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

²⁵ And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

²⁶ And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

²⁷ And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.

---

¹ Now there was a man ^H376 of Benjamin, ^H1144 whose name ^H8034 was Kish, ^H7027 the son ^H1121 of Abiel, ^H22 the son ^H1121 of Zeror, ^H6872 the son ^H1121 of Bechorath, ^H1064 the son ^H1121 of Aphiah, ^H647 a Benjamite, ^H1145 a mighty ^H1368 man ^H376 of power. ^H2428

² And he had a son, ^H1121 whose name ^H8034 was Saul, ^H7586 a choice young man, ^H970 and a goodly: ^H2896 and there was not among the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 a goodlier ^H2896 person ^H376 than he: from his shoulders ^H7926 and upward ^H4605 he was higher ^H1364 than any of the people. ^H5971

³ And the asses ^H860 of Kish ^H7027 Saul's ^H7586 father ^H1 were lost. ^H6 And Kish ^H7027 said ^H559 to Saul ^H7586 his son, ^H1121 Take ^H3947 now one ^H259 of the servants ^H5288 with thee, and arise, ^H6965 go ^H3212 seek ^H1245 the asses. ^H860

⁴ And he passed through ^H5674 mount ^H2022 Ephraim, ^H669 and passed through ^H5674 the land ^H776 of Shalisha, ^H8031 but they found ^H4672 them not: then they passed through ^H5674 the land ^H776 of Shalim, ^H8171 and there they were not: and he passed through ^H5674 the land ^H776 of the Benjamites, ^H1145 but they found ^H4672 them not.

⁵ And when they were come ^H935 to the land ^H776 of Zuph, ^H6689 Saul ^H7586 said ^H559 to his servant ^H5288 that was with him, Come, ^H3212 and let us return; ^H7725 lest my father ^H1 leave ^H2308 caring for the asses, ^H860 and take thought ^H1672 for us.

⁶ And he said ^H559 unto him, Behold now, there is in this city ^H5892 a man ^H376 of God, ^H430 and he is an honourable ^H3513 man; ^H376 all that he saith ^H1696 cometh ^H935 surely to pass: ^H935 now let us go ^H3212 thither; peradventure he can shew ^H5046 us our way ^H1870 that we should go. ^H1980

⁷ Then said ^H559 Saul ^H7586 to his servant, ^H5288 But, behold, if we go, ^H3212 what shall we bring ^H935 the man? ^H376 for the bread ^H3899 is spent ^H235 in our vessels, ^H3627 and there is not a present ^H8670 to bring ^H935 to the man ^H376 of God: ^H430 what have we?

⁸ And the servant ^H5288 answered ^H6030 Saul ^H7586 again, ^H3254 and said, ^H559 Behold, I have ^H4672 here at hand ^H3027 the fourth part ^H7253 of a shekel ^H8255 of silver: ^H3701 that will I give ^H5414 to the man ^H376 of God, ^H430 to tell ^H5046 us our way. ^H1870

⁹ (Beforetime ^H6440 in Israel, ^H3478 when a man ^H376 went ^H3212 to enquire ^H1875 of God, ^H430 thus he spake, ^H559 Come, ^H3212 and let us go ^H3212 to the seer: ^H7200 for he that is now ^H3117 called a Prophet ^H5030 was beforetime ^H6440 called ^H7121 a Seer.) ^H7200

¹⁰ Then said ^H1697 Saul ^H7586 to his servant, ^H5288 Well ^H2896 said; ^H559 come, ^H3212 let us go. ^H3212 So they went ^H3212 unto the city ^H5892 where the man ^H376 of God ^H430 was.

¹¹ And as they went up ^H5927 the hill ^H4608 to the city, ^H5892 they found ^H4672 young maidens ^H5291 going out ^H3318 to draw ^H7579 water, ^H4325 and said ^H559 unto them, Is ^H3426 the seer ^H7200 here?

¹² And they answered ^H6030 them, and said, ^H559 He is; ^H3426 behold, he is before ^H6440 you: make haste ^H4116 now, for he came ^H935 to day ^H3117 to the city; ^H5892 for there is a sacrifice ^H2077 of the people ^H5971 to day ^H3117 in the high place: ^H1116

¹³ As soon as ye be come ^H935 into the city, ^H5892 ye shall straightway ^H3651 find ^H4672 him, before he go up ^H5927 to the high place ^H1116 to eat: ^H398 for the people ^H5971 will not eat ^H398 until he come, ^H935 because he doth bless ^H1288 the sacrifice; ^H2077 and afterwards ^{H310 H3651} they eat ^H398 that be bidden. ^H7121 Now therefore get you up; ^H5927 for about this time ^H3117 ye shall find ^H4672 him.

¹⁴ And they went up ^H5927 into ^H8432 the city: ^H5892 and when they were come ^H935 into the city, ^H5892 behold, Samuel ^H8050 came out ^H3318 against ^H7125 them, for to go up ^H5927 to the high place. ^H1116

¹⁵ Now the LORD ^H3068 had told ^H1540 Samuel ^H8050 in his ear ^H241 a ^H259 day ^H3117 before ^H6440 Saul ^H7586 came, ^H935 saying, ^H559

¹⁶ To morrow ^H4279 about this time ^H6256 I will send ^H7971 thee a man ^H376 out of the land ^H776 of Benjamin, ^H1144 and thou shalt anoint ^H4886 him to be captain ^H5057 over my people ^H5971 Israel, ^H3478 that he may save ^H3467 my people ^H5971 out of the hand ^H3027 of the Philistines: ^H6430 for I have looked ^H7200 upon my people, ^H5971 because their cry ^H6818 is come ^H935 unto me.

¹⁷ And when Samuel ^H8050 saw ^H7200 Saul, ^H7586 the LORD ^H3068 said ^H6030 unto him, Behold the man ^H376 whom I spake ^H559 to thee of! this same shall reign ^H6113 over my people. ^H5971

¹⁸ Then Saul ^H7586 drew near ^H5066 to Samuel ^H8050 in ^H8432 the gate, ^H8179 and said, ^H559 Tell ^H5046 me, I pray thee, where ^H335 the seer's ^H7200 house ^H1004 is.

¹⁹ And Samuel ^H8050 answered ^H6030 Saul, ^H7586 and said, ^H559 I am the seer: ^H7200 go up ^H5927 before ^H6440 me unto the high place; ^H1116 for ye shall eat ^H398 with me to day, ^H3117 and to morrow ^H1242 I will let thee go, ^H7971 and will tell ^H5046 thee all that is in thine heart. ^H3824

²⁰ And as for thine asses ^H860 that were lost ^H6 three ^H7969 days ^H3117 ago, ^H3117 set ^H7760 not thy mind ^H3820 on them; for they are found. ^H4672 And on whom is all the desire ^H2532 of Israel? ^H3478 Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's ^H1 house? ^H1004

²¹ And Saul ^H7586 answered ^H6030 and said, ^H559 Am not I a Benjamite, ^H1145 of the smallest ^H6996 of the tribes ^H7626 of Israel? ^H3478 and my family ^H4940 the least ^H6810 of all the families ^H4940 of the tribe ^H7626 of Benjamin? ^H1144 wherefore then speakest ^H1696 thou so ^H1697 to me?

²² And Samuel ^H8050 took ^H3947 Saul ^H7586 and his servant, ^H5288 and brought ^H935 them into the parlour, ^H3957 and made them sit ^H5414 in the chiefest ^H7218 place ^H4725 among them that were bidden, ^H7121 which were about thirty ^H7970 persons. ^H376

²³ And Samuel ^H8050 said ^H559 unto the cook, ^H2876 Bring ^H5414 the portion ^H4490 which I gave ^H5414 thee, of which I said ^H559 unto thee, Set ^H7760 it by thee.

²⁴ And the cook ^H2876 took up ^H7311 the shoulder, ^H7785 and that which was upon it, and set ^H7760 it before ^H6440 Saul. ^H7586 And Samuel said, ^H559 Behold that which is left! ^H7604 set ^H7760 it before ^H6440 thee, and eat: ^H398 for unto this time ^H4150 hath it been kept ^H8104 for thee since I said, ^H559 I have invited ^H7121 the people. ^H5971 So Saul ^H7586 did eat ^H398 with Samuel ^H8050 that day. ^H3117

²⁵ And when they were come down ^H3381 from the high place ^H1116 into the city, ^H5892 Samuel communed ^H1696 with Saul ^H7586 upon the top of the house. ^H1406

²⁶ And they arose early: ^H7925 and it came to pass about the spring ^H5927 of the day, ^H7837 that Samuel ^H8050 called ^H7121 Saul ^H7586 to the top of the house, ^H1406 saying, ^H559 Up, ^H6965 that I may send thee away. ^H7971 And Saul ^H7586 arose, ^H6965 and they went out ^H3318 both ^H8147 of them, he and Samuel, ^H8050 abroad. ^H2351

²⁷ And as they were going down ^H3381 to the end ^H7097 of the city, ^H5892 Samuel ^H8050 said ^H559 to Saul, ^H7586 Bid ^H559 the servant ^H5288 pass on ^H5674 before ^H6440 us, (and he passed on,) ^H5674 but stand ^H5975 thou still a while, ^H3117 that I may shew ^H8085 thee the word ^H1697 of God. ^H430

---

¹ Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

² And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a young man and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

³ And the asses of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

⁴ And he passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

⁵ When they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return, lest my father leave off caring for the asses, and be anxious for us.

⁶ And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.

⁷ Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

⁸ And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

⁹ (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

¹⁰ Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.

¹¹ As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?

¹² And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, `he is' before thee: make haste now, for he is come to-day into the city; for the people have a sacrifice to-day in the high place:

¹³ as soon as ye are come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he goeth up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; `and' afterwards they eat that are bidden. Now therefore get you up; for at this time ye shall find him.

¹⁴ And they went up to the city; `and' as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.

¹⁵ Now Jehovah had revealed unto Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,

¹⁶ To-morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

¹⁷ And when Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah said unto him, Behold, the man of whom I spake to thee! this same shall have authority over my people.

¹⁸ Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.

¹⁹ And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer; go up before me unto the high place, for ye shall eat with me to-day: and in the morning I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thy heart.

²⁰ And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not they mind on them; for they are found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for thee, and for all thy father's house?

²¹ And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou to me after this manner?

²² And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, who were about thirty persons.

²³ And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

²⁴ And the cook took up the thigh, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And `Samuel' said, Behold, that which hath been reserved! set it before thee and eat; because unto the appointed time hath it been kept for thee, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

²⁵ And when they were come down from the high place into the city, he communed with Saul upon the housetop.

²⁶ And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

²⁷ As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still first, that I may cause thee to hear the word of God.

---

¹ And there is a man of Benjamin, and his name `is' Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bechorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, mighty of valour,

² and he hath a son, and his name `is' Saul, a choice youth and goodly, and there is not a man among the sons of Israel goodlier than he -- from his shoulder and upward, higher than any of the people.

³ And the asses of Kish, father of Saul, are lost, and Kish saith unto Saul his son, `Take, I pray thee, with thee, one of the young men, and rise, go, seek the asses.'

⁴ And he passeth over through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passeth over through the land of Shalisha, and they have not found; and they pass over through the land of Shaalim, and they are not; and he passeth over through the land of Benjamin, and they have not found.

⁵ They have come in unto the land of Zuph, and Saul hath said to his young man who `is' with him, `Come, and we turn back, lest my father leave off from the asses, and hath been sorrowful for us.'

⁶ And he saith to him, `Lo, I pray thee, a man of God `is' in this city, and the man is honoured; all that he speaketh doth certainly come; now, we go there, it may be he doth declare to us our way on which we have gone.'

⁷ And Saul saith to his young man, `And lo, we go, and what do we bring in to the man? for the bread hath gone from our vessels, and a present there is not to bring in to the man of God -- what `is' with us?'

⁸ And the young man addeth to answer Saul, and saith, `Lo, there is found with me a fourth of a shekel of silver: and I have given to the man of God, and he hath declared to us our way.'

⁹ Formerly in Israel, thus said the man in his going to seek God, `Come and we go unto the seer,' for the `prophet' of to-day is called formerly `the seer.'

¹⁰ And Saul saith to his young man, `Thy word `is' good; come, we go;' and they go unto the city where the man of God `is'.

¹¹ They are going up in the ascent of the city, and have found young women going out to draw water, and say to them, `Is the seer in this `place'?'

¹² And they answer them and say, `He is; lo, before thee! haste, now, for to-day he hath come in to the city, for the people hath a stated sacrifice in a high place.

¹³ At your going in to the city so ye do find him, before he doth go up in to the high place to eat; for the people do not eat till his coming, for he doth bless the sacrifice; afterwards they eat, who are called, and now, go up, for at this time ye find him.'

¹⁴ And they go up in to the city; they are coming in to the midst of the city, and lo, Samuel is coming out to meet them, to go up to the high place;

¹⁵ and Jehovah had uncovered the ear of Samuel one day before the coming of Saul, saying,

¹⁶ `At this time tomorrow, I send unto thee a man out of the land of Benjamin -- and thou hast anointed him for leader over My people Israel, and he hath saved My people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have seen My people, for its cry hath come in unto Me.'

¹⁷ When Samuel hath seen Saul, then hath Jehovah answered him, `Lo, the man of whom I have spoken unto thee; this `one' doth restrain My people.'

¹⁸ And Saul draweth nigh to Samuel in the midst of the gate, and saith, `Declare, I pray thee, to me, where `is' this -- the seer's house?'

¹⁹ And Samuel answereth Saul and saith, `I `am' the seer; go up before me into the high place, and ye have eaten with me to-day, and I have sent thee away in the morning, and all that `is' in thy heart I declare to thee.

²⁰ As to the asses which are lost to thee this day three days, set not thy heart to them, for they have been found; and to whom `is' all the desire of Israel?' is it not to thee and to all thy father's house?'

²¹ And Saul answereth and saith, `Am not I a Benjamite -- of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? and why hast thou spoken unto me according to this word?'

²² And Samuel taketh Saul, and his young man, and bringeth them in to the chamber, and giveth to them a place at the head of those called; and they `are' about thirty men.

²³ And Samuel saith to the cook, `Give the portion which I gave to thee, of which I said unto thee, `Set it by thee?'

²⁴ (and the cook lifteth up the leg, and that which `is' on it, and setteth before Saul), and he saith, `Lo, that which is left; set `it' before thee -- eat, for to this appointed season it is kept for thee, saying, The people I have called;' and Saul eateth with Samuel on that day.

²⁵ And they come down from the high place to the city, and he speaketh with Saul on the roof.

²⁶ And they rise early, and it cometh to pass, at the ascending of the dawn, that Samuel calleth unto Saul, on the roof, saying, `Rise, and I send thee away;' and Saul riseth, and they go out, both of them -- he and Samuel, without.

²⁷ They are going down in the extremity of the city, and Samuel hath said unto Saul, `Say to the young man that he pass on before us (and he passeth on), and thou, stand at this time, and I cause thee to hear the word of God.'

---

¹ And there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjaminite, a mighty man of wealth.

² And he had a son whose name was Saul, choice and comely; and there was not among the children of Israel a comelier person than he; from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

³ And the asses of Kish Saul's father were lost; and Kish said to Saul his son, Take, I pray, one of the young men with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

⁴ And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they found [them] not; and they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there; and they passed through the land of Benjamin, and they found [them] not.

⁵ They had come to the land of Zuph when Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come and let us return; lest my father give up the asses, and be anxious about us.

⁶ And he said to him, Behold now, a man of God is in this city, and the man is held in honour; all that he says comes surely to pass. Let us now go thither: perhaps he will shew us the way that we should go.

⁷ And Saul said to his servant, But if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and we have no present to give to the man of God: what have we?

⁸ And the servant answered Saul again and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver; that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

⁹ (In former time in Israel, when a man went to ask counsel of God, he said, Come and let us go to the seer; for he that is now called a Prophet was in former time called a Seer.)

¹⁰ And Saul said to his servant, Well said: come, let us go. So they went to the city where the man of God was.

¹¹ As they went up the ascent to the city, they met maidens going forth to draw water; and they said to them, Is the seer here?

¹² And they answered them and said, He is; behold, he is before thee: make haste now, for he came to-day to the city; for the people have a sacrifice to-day in the high place.

¹³ As soon as ye come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people eat not until he has come, because he blesses the sacrifice; afterwards they eat that are invited. And now go up; for this very day shall ye find him.

¹⁴ And they went up into the city. As they were coming into the midst of the city, behold, Samuel was coming out towards them, to go up to the high place.

¹⁵ Now Jehovah had apprised Samuel one day before Saul came, saying,

¹⁶ To-morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him prince over my people Israel; and he will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

¹⁷ And as Samuel saw Saul, Jehovah answered him, Behold the man of whom I spoke to thee! this man shall rule over my people.

¹⁸ And Saul drew near to Samuel in the midst of the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is.

¹⁹ And Samuel answered Saul and said, I am the seer: go up before me to the high place, and ye shall eat with me to-day; and to-morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thy heart.

²⁰ And as for the asses that thou didst lose three days ago, set not thy heart on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel [set]? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father's house?

²¹ And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjaminite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? and why dost thou speak such words to me?

²² And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the chamber, and gave them a place at the head of them that were invited; and they were about thirty persons.

²³ And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion that I gave thee, of which I said to thee, Set it by thee.

²⁴ And the cook took up the shoulder, and what was on it, and set [it] before Saul. And he said, Behold that which has been reserved! set it before thee, eat; for against the set time has it been kept for thee, since I said, I will invite the people. So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

²⁵ And they came down from the high place into the city, and he spoke with Saul upon the roof.

²⁶ And they arose early; and when it was about the dawning of the day, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, Arise, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, into the street.

²⁷ As they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Tell the servant to pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still now, that I may cause thee to hear the word of God.

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¹ Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

² He had a son, whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a better person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

³ The donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys.

⁴ He passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn't find them: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they weren't there: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn't find them.

⁵ When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, Come, and let us return, lest my father leave off caring for the donkeys, and be anxious for us.

⁶ He said to him, See now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes surely to pass: now let us go there; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.

⁷ Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

⁸ The servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

⁹ (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he who is now called a Prophet was before called a Seer.)

¹⁰ Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went to the city where the man of God was.

¹¹ As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here?

¹² They answered them, and said, He is; behold, [he is] before you: make haste now, for he is come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place:

¹³ as soon as you are come into the city, you shall immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he come, because he does bless the sacrifice; [and] afterwards they eat who are invited. Now therefore get you up; for at this time you shall find him.

¹⁴ They went up to the city; [and] as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.

¹⁵ Now Yahweh had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,

¹⁶ Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on my people, because their cry is come to me.

¹⁷ When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him, Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! this same shall have authority over my people.

¹⁸ Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, Please, where the seer's house is.

¹⁹ Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today: and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.

²⁰ As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don't set your mind on them; for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father's house?

²¹ Saul answered, Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? why then speak you to me after this manner?

²² Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.

²³ Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it by you.

²⁴ The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. [Samuel] said, Behold, that which has been reserved! set it before you and eat; because to the appointed time has it been kept for you, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

²⁵ When they were come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop.

²⁶ They arose early: and it happened about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send you away. Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

²⁷ As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand you still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God.

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¹ Now there was a man of Benjamin named Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a man of wealth.

² He had a son named Saul, a specially good-looking young man; there was no one better-looking among the children of Israel: he was taller by a head than any other of the people.

³ Now the asses of Saul's father Kish had gone wandering away. And Kish said to his son Saul, Take one of the servants with you, and get up and go in search of the asses.

⁴ So they went through the hill-country of Ephraim and through the land of Shalishah, but they saw no sign of them: then they went through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there: and they went through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not come across them.

⁵ And when they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, Come, let us go back, or my father may give up caring about the asses and be troubled about us.

⁶ But the servant said to him, See now, in this town there is a man of God, who is highly honoured, and everything he says comes true: let us go there now; it may be that he will give us directions about our journey.

⁷ Then Saul said to his servant, But if we go, what are we to take the man? all our bread is gone, and we have no offering to take to the man of God: what are we to do?

⁸ But the servant said in answer, I have here a fourth part of a shekel of silver: I will give that to the man of God, and he will give us directions about our way.

⁹ (In the past in Israel, when a man went to get directions from God, he said, Come let us go to the Seer, for he who now is named Prophet was in those days given the name of Seer.)

¹⁰ Then Saul said to his servant, You have said well; come, let us go. So they went to the town where the man of God was.

¹¹ And when they were on the way up to the town, they saw some young girls going out to get water and said to them, Is the seer here?

¹² And they said, He is; in fact he is before you: go quickly now, for he has come into the town today, for the people are making an offering in the high place today:

¹³ When you come into the town you will see him straight away, before he goes up to the high place for the feast: the people are waiting for his blessing before starting the feast, and after that the guests will take part in it. So go up now and you will see him.

¹⁴ So they went up to the town, and when they came inside the town, Samuel came face to face with them on his way to the high place.

¹⁵ Now the day before Saul came, the word of God had come to Samuel, saying,

¹⁶ Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and on him you are to put the holy oil, making him ruler over my people Israel, and he will make my people safe from the hands of the Philistines: for I have seen the sorrow of my people, whose cry has come up to me.

¹⁷ And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, This is the man of whom I gave you word! he it is who is to have authority over my people.

¹⁸ Then Saul came up to Samuel in the doorway of the town and said, Give me directions, if you will be so good, to the house of the seer.

¹⁹ Then Samuel said to Saul, I am the seer; go up before me to the high place and take food with me today: and in the morning I will let you go, after opening to you all the secrets of your heart.

²⁰ As for your asses which have been wandering for three days, give no thought to them, for they have come back. And for whom are all the desired things in Israel? are they not for you and your father's family?

²¹ And Saul said, Am I not a man of Benjamin, the smallest of all the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of the families of Benjamin? why then do you say these words to me?

²² Then Samuel took Saul and his servant into the guest room, and made them take the chief place among all the guests who were there, about thirty persons.

²³ And Samuel said to the cook, Give me that part which I gave you orders to keep by you.

²⁴ And the cook took up the leg with the fat tail on it, and put it before Saul. And Samuel said, This is the part which has been kept for you: take it as your part of the feast; because it has been kept for you till the right time came and till the guests were present. So that day Saul took food with Samuel.

²⁵ And when they had come down from the high place into the town, where a bed was made ready for Saul, he went to rest.

²⁶ And about dawn Samuel said to Saul on the roof, Get up so that I may send you away. So Saul got up, and he and Samuel went out together.

²⁷ And on their way down to the end of the town, Samuel said to Saul, Give your servant orders to go on in front of us, (so he went on,) but you keep here, so that I may give you the word of God.